The Story of Chopsticks筷子的故事

    筷子的故事第七节 筷子的故事 The Story of Chopsticks1] Chopsticks are used every day in China.
    [2] Now I'd like to take this opportunity to share their interesting history with you.
    [3] I think you'll agree that even an ordinary item used in daily life can have a fascinating story.
    [4] Although chopsticks originated in China, they are widely used in many Asian countries.
    [5] The first chopsticks were made from bone and jade¹.
    [6] In the Spring and Autumn period, copper² and iron chopsticks came into being.
    [7] In ancient times, the rich used jade or gold chopsticks to display their wealth.
    [8] Many kings and emperors used silver chopsticks to see if their food had been poisoned.
    [9] Chopsticks are traditionally placed in brides' dowries,because "chopsticks" in Chinese is pronounced "kuaizi", which sounds like "get a son soon."[10] Many foreign friends try to use chopsticks when they visit China.
    [11] Even the former president of the United States Richard Nixon, used chopsticks at the welcoming banquet held in his honor.
    [12] As soon as he left his table, a foreign diplomat³ grabbed his chopsticks as a historical souvenir.
    [13] Remember to tell this interesting story the next time you eat with foreign friends and show off your knowledge.
    [1] 中国人每天都在使用筷子。
    [2] 现在我想借这个机会和大家一起聊一些有关于筷子历史的有趣故事。
    [3] 我想你会赞同即使是日常生活中一件小物品也会有其引人入胜的故事。
    [4] 虽然筷子起源于中国，但现在很多的亚洲国家都在使用。
    [5] 最早的筷子是用骨头和玉制成的。
    [6] 在春秋时代又出现了铜制和铁制的筷子。
    [7] 在古代，富人家用玉筷子或金筷子以显示其家庭的富有。
    [8] 许多帝王用银制的筷子以检查他们的食物中是否被人投了毒。
    [9] 筷子在传统上是被当作新娘的嫁妆的，因为“筷子”在汉语中读作“kuaizi”，听起来很像“快得儿子”。
    [10] 许多外国朋友在访问中国的时候都使用筷子。
    [11] 甚至是美国前总统尼克松在为其到来而举办的欢迎宴会上也使用了筷子。
    [12] 他刚一离开桌子，一名国外的外交人员就抓起了他的筷子，把它作为了具有历史意义的纪念品。
    [13] 下次与外国朋友吃饭时不要忘记把这个有趣的故事告诉他们，卖弄一下你的知识。

1 jade   

n.玉石；碧玉；翡翠

参考例句：

• The statue was carved out of jade.这座塑像是玉雕的。
• He presented us with a couple of jade lions.他送给我们一对玉狮子。

2 copper   

n.铜；铜币；铜器；adj.铜(制)的；(紫)铜色的

参考例句：

• The students are asked to prove the purity of copper.要求学生们检验铜的纯度。
• Copper is a good medium for the conduction of heat and electricity.铜是热和电的良导体。

3 diplomat   

n.外交官，外交家；能交际的人，圆滑的人

参考例句：

• The diplomat threw in a joke, and the tension was instantly relieved.那位外交官插进一个笑话，紧张的气氛顿时缓和下来。
• He served as a diplomat in Russia before the war.战前他在俄罗斯当外交官。